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Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
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Loc: outer space
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: badchad]
#23565127 - 08/22/16 06:26 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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badchad said:
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Crystal G said: How do you have your grad school basically paid for? He mentioned something about being a teacher's assistant or teacher's aide. Are there other ways?
You work like a dog for your mentor/professor.
Usually, its not the professor doing all the grunt work to obtain data and publications. You'll be the one puring through a two million cell excel spreadsheet crunching numbers.
Yep, that sounds about right. People at the top who hold the fame and the power are always taking the credit of the grunts that do all the labor, often for free. This is always how it works at internships, at corporations & business, at universities, at NASA, at government, at the military, etc.
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Cosmic_Flame
THE BREAKFAST EMPRESS



Registered: 11/16/12
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Crystal G]
#23565151 - 08/22/16 06:51 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Crystal G said:
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Jokeshopbeard said: I've read a fair few of those 'interviews with people at the end of their lives' type things over the years, it fairly fascinates me what people have to share when they reach that point where they're 88 years, still coherent, yet trapped in the worn out physical shell we inhabit.
The thing that has stuck with me the most from reading such things is that they will often say 'you always regret the things you didn't do, rather than the things you did'.
That being said, if you've a calling in your heart to do this to help others CG, I say do it. If you're just thinking it's gonna benefit you financially long term, I say don't.
Based on my own experiences, is to the most important thing to establish if it's your heart or your head that wants this. The 'system', which I have become so deeply entrenched in myself, got me by the head when I signed up for a career at 18 because I knew it was the one that would pay best based on my skillset, and I relentlessly pursued it for the next 15 years. IT. I made it to the top end of my game, in the banking sector, only to realise that I hated it as it goes against everything I stand for. I followed the path to the big money, which I now have, and now all I want to do is escape it to live a simple life, free of all the politics that comes from working in a well established institution. They're just fucked. The government and the banks being the worst as far as I can see. Young startup companies are quite a different cup of tea mind you.
Think about the dreams you had when you were much younger. They're the ones to follow IME. Culture has a way of worming its way under your skin and deluding you as to what's right in how you should fit into it. Doing right by yourself and others is all that's worth shit in this life IMO. Will this path be doing that?
TL:DR: is it your heart or your head that wants this?
I would say it's my heart that is yearning for this, and my head is the one that has been rationalizing me to not do it, mostly for financial reasons and employment probability.
The truth is, I can make just as much money doing other types of work. $50K a year isn't bad when you consider that you don't have a ton of student debt to pay off. I worked for a large financial institution too, and I hated it. I don't enjoy working in big corporations, personally.
I don't share much of my personal life on here but that last bit resonated with me so I feel compelled to share a tid bit.
When I was in my senior year for my bachelors I managed to land a job paying 45k and back then I was 21. It would of been 50-55k but I hadn't graduated yet, at least thats the reason why they told me I'd have to take a cut in the initial salary offered. Anyways at the interview I had a melt down in my mind. I kept my composure and the interview went great but ultimately I ended up realizing it wasn't for me. Working in an office, working in that kind of environment despite the pay, I just couldnt do it. I'm the kind of person that follows their instincts and so it just felt incredibly wrong. I couldn't be happier nowadays, I know I made the right decision.
tldr; follow your gut aka heart, whatever makes you truly happy, like Joke said
-------------------- Pull the blinds and change their minds....
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Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Cosmic_Flame]
#23565176 - 08/22/16 07:04 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Cosmic_Flame said: I don't share much of my personal life on here but that last bit resonated with me so I feel compelled to share a tid bit.
When I was in my senior year for my bachelors I managed to land a job paying 45k and back then I was 21. It would of been 50-55k but I hadn't graduated yet, at least thats the reason why they told me I'd have to take a cut in the initial salary offered. Anyways at the interview I had a melt down in my mind. I kept my composure and the interview went great but ultimately I ended up realizing it wasn't for me. Working in an office, working in that kind of environment despite the pay, I just couldnt do it. I'm the kind of person that follows their instincts and so it just felt incredibly wrong. I couldn't be happier nowadays, I know I made the right decision.
tldr; follow your gut aka heart, whatever makes you truly happy, like Joke said
Honestly, I discovered the hard way that $45K isn't a lot of money.
After taxes are taken out, after the health insurance costs, and after vehicle and auto insurance costs (the company provided a company car but we also had to pay for some portion of it as well as the insurance, which was taken out at the same time that we paid for the health insurance and 401K), I was only left with $800 in my paycheck every other week.
It still wasn't enough for me to move out and rent an apartment on my own. I could have rented a low-cost apartment, but it wouldn't have been in a good area, and I would have had no money left over to save anything.
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Cosmic_Flame
THE BREAKFAST EMPRESS



Registered: 11/16/12
Posts: 4,184
Loc: Under The Sea
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Crystal G]
#23565197 - 08/22/16 07:25 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Crystal G said:
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Cosmic_Flame said: I don't share much of my personal life on here but that last bit resonated with me so I feel compelled to share a tid bit.
When I was in my senior year for my bachelors I managed to land a job paying 45k and back then I was 21. It would of been 50-55k but I hadn't graduated yet, at least thats the reason why they told me I'd have to take a cut in the initial salary offered. Anyways at the interview I had a melt down in my mind. I kept my composure and the interview went great but ultimately I ended up realizing it wasn't for me. Working in an office, working in that kind of environment despite the pay, I just couldnt do it. I'm the kind of person that follows their instincts and so it just felt incredibly wrong. I couldn't be happier nowadays, I know I made the right decision.
tldr; follow your gut aka heart, whatever makes you truly happy, like Joke said
Honestly, I discovered the hard way that $45K isn't a lot of money.
After taxes are taken out, after the health insurance costs, and after vehicle and auto insurance costs (the company provided a company car but we also had to pay for some portion of it as well as the insurance, which was taken out at the same time that we paid for the health insurance and 401K), I was only left with $800 in my paycheck every other week.
It still wasn't enough for me to move out and rent an apartment on my own. I could have rented a low-cost apartment, but it wouldn't have been in a good area, and I would have had no money left over to save anything.
In my neck of the woods the cost of living is incredibly cheap so I would of been well off especially since I would of had 0 dependents at the time and I'm incredibly frugal. So yeah I totally get the massive cuts I would of taken but still it would of been plenty for me. Technically had I stayed on the course I was on I'd be making at least 100k by now or close to it, plus I was planning on going for my masters.
-------------------- Pull the blinds and change their minds....
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fapjack
Title



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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Crystal G]
#23565204 - 08/22/16 07:29 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Depends on what the cost will be and what the stipend would be (if you are even getting one). I'd imagine within that field it's hard to get a really good job without knowing people, but if you are really good at networking it might be worth it. I know in the hard sciences, having a PhD makes a big difference in what you do and what you get paid but it doesn't make finding a job easier.
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badchad
Mad Scientist

Registered: 03/02/05
Posts: 13,372
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Cosmic_Flame]
#23565207 - 08/22/16 07:30 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Well, if money is the primary driver, with a Poli Sci PhD you're probably going to be hovering around the 80-100k range. Enough to live comfortably, but not a rich lifestyle or anything. You'll make a bit more in the private sector.
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
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Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: badchad]
#23565229 - 08/22/16 07:44 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
badchad said: Well, if money is the primary driver, with a Poli Sci PhD you're probably going to be hovering around the 80-100k range. Enough to live comfortably, but not a rich lifestyle or anything. You'll make a bit more in the private sector.
What I meant to say in my post is that it's not about the money. I actually hated working corporate jobs so much, I ended up quitting and becoming a waitress for close to half a year. It was so easy and not stressful at all, and I ended up with roughly the same amount of money I would have made after taxes in my those kind of jobs. I don't know why people say being a server is so hard. I thought it was the easiest fucking job I've ever had.
I don't ask for much. As long as I can make enough to have my own place, even just a nice apartment or a condominium or something, a functioning car, enough to eat well and healthy, and can afford some recreational activities on the side and a nice vacation once a year, that's all I ask for.
What kind of jobs would a poli sci PhD make that is in the 100k range? What about for private sector--I'm guessing R&D?
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badchad
Mad Scientist

Registered: 03/02/05
Posts: 13,372
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Crystal G]
#23565386 - 08/22/16 09:09 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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I'd guess a "typical" academic professor would start between 70-80k and go up from there. A traditional government employee would be slightly higher. I'd guess private sector is where you'd hit the 6-figure mark.
Just my opinion based on biologically-based science careers. I'm not entirely sure how Poli-sci would differ, but I've worked with plenty of epidemiologists and psychologists in the ranges stated above.
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
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Konyap

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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: badchad]
#23565640 - 08/22/16 11:09 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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the only reason I'm going for my bachelours is so I can fuck off whenever I like and stop working but if they look on your resume and see you weren't working for a couple years then I dunno what they do...
I don't think I'd be a good husband everytime i have a job i quit within a year or tow
Edited by Konyap (08/22/16 11:13 AM)
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Moonshoe
Blue Mantis


Registered: 05/28/04
Posts: 27,202
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Crystal G]
#23565783 - 08/22/16 11:53 AM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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From a strictly economic perspective statistically speaking you are best to get a masters and then stop.
People with a masters only on average make more than someone with a PhD over the lifespan.
Unless you want to be a professor getting a PhD is mostly for your own interest and enjoyment , not to make more money.
If the world doesn't end and I live a long life my wife and I will get our PHDs but for our own satisfaction and enjoyment not for any career edge.
I have prioritized yoga, meditation and martial arts and having 3 degrees already I feel like my PhD can wait a long time .
--------------------
Everything I post is fiction.
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Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
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Loc: outer space
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Moonshoe]
#23567574 - 08/22/16 10:04 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Moonshoe said: From a strictly economic perspective statistically speaking you are best to get a masters and then stop.
People with a masters only on average make more than someone with a PhD over the lifespan.
Unless you want to be a professor getting a PhD is mostly for your own interest and enjoyment , not to make more money.
If the world doesn't end and I live a long life my wife and I will get our PHDs but for our own satisfaction and enjoyment not for any career edge.
I have prioritized yoga, meditation and martial arts and having 3 degrees already I feel like my PhD can wait a long time .
Well, I was thinking to apply for the PhD program, because my professor said I will have a much better likelihood of getting acceptance into a program if I apply for the PhD.
And if I don't end up finishing the PhD, I will still end up with a masters anyway.
So, that was the idea behind the main plan.
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micro
bunbun has a gungun



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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Crystal G]
#23567581 - 08/22/16 10:07 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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PHd. That's short for "pretty huge dope"
Honestly if you're in academia it could help.
Otherwiiiiiise.. whatever
-------------------- Any research paper or book for free (Avatar is Maxxy, a character by Mizzyam, RIP)
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akira_akuma
Φύσις κρύπτεσθαι ὕψιστος φιλεῖ


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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: micro]
#23567589 - 08/22/16 10:10 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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people mostly need PhD's but as PhD's are acquired they become less valuable. LOL. makes sense...totally.
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Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: akira_akuma]
#23567605 - 08/22/16 10:16 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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akira_akuma said: people mostly need PhD's but as PhD's are acquired they become less valuable. LOL. makes sense...totally.
The numbers of PhD students are still pretty low. Most graduate schools only accept 15 or so PhD students per year. Compare that with the 20,000 students that are accepted as undergraduate freshmen to some of these same schools.
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akira_akuma
Φύσις κρύπτεσθαι ὕψιστος φιλεῖ


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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Crystal G]
#23567612 - 08/22/16 10:18 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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well, then i find it even more absurd. we need more PhDs. yet they are undervalued.
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Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: akira_akuma]
#23567622 - 08/22/16 10:21 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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akira_akuma said: well, then i find it even more absurd. we need more PhDs. yet they are undervalued.

People are usually referring to PhD's from American citizens, particularly in STEM majors.
The reason being, over 50% of PhD students, especially in STEM, are foreigners who sometimes have trouble acquiring work visas after their graduation.
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danielx
whatup!


Registered: 10/13/08
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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Crystal G] 1
#23567624 - 08/22/16 10:22 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Political science, lulzy.
-------------------- Long live kratom
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akira_akuma
Φύσις κρύπτεσθαι ὕψιστος φιλεῖ


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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: Crystal G]
#23567632 - 08/22/16 10:24 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Crystal G said:
Quote:
akira_akuma said: well, then i find it even more absurd. we need more PhDs. yet they are undervalued.

People are usually referring to PhD's from American citizens, particularly in STEM majors.
The reason being, over 50% of PhD students, especially in STEM, are foreigners who sometimes have trouble acquiring work visas after their graduation.
that's even sadder.
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Crystal G



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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: akira_akuma]
#23567636 - 08/22/16 10:25 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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akira_akuma said:
that's even sadder.
It's unfortunate, but true. Americans are failing at math.
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goldcaphunter
EMS Medic



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Re: I am contemplating going back to school to pursue a PhD [Re: danielx]
#23567638 - 08/22/16 10:25 PM (7 years, 5 months ago) |
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danielx said: Political science, lulzy.
--------------------
  The picture to the far left is a reminder to our users to stay safe and healthy, that's my third open heart surgery due to over use of amps. Stay safe kiddos
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